Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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165 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Susan Barnes

Reviewed December 2018

An experience of a lifetime!

This was simply one of the best experiences of my life! We were very fortunate that all 12 members of our team got on really well and we had a brilliant leader with a ‘dream team’ supporting him. The trek itself is hard work, but I never felt that we wouldn’t make it to Base Camp. Our leader and the guides did everything to encourage us to “reach our destiny” and did so with professionalism and a great sense of humour. However, at no time was our safety compromised and the pace of the walk was judged to perfection. Some days are very long, with early starts; but well worth it. The scenery is breathtaking. This is definitely a holiday that is worthy of being on any bucket list.

Most Inspirational Moment

This has to be the arrival at Base Camp after 9 days of trekking. Everyone felt a real sense of achievement and really bonded the group. We were also extremely lucky to have Kaji on our team as one of the Guides. Kaji has summited Everest 8 times and his insight and knowledge was inspirational, which was matched by his modesty, humility and kindness.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't speak highly enough of our leader, Ajay. He took the trouble to get to know every member of the team and put our health and safety above everything. Ajay has a great sense of humour and is extremely knowledgable, providing answers to our many many questions! If there was a problem with a room or the toilets, for example, he made sure it was resolved. Ajay had great support in Kaji, Cami and Nowoan, who led the yaks, so the success of our trek was really never in doubt. Just to add also (having seen some of the other reviews) that there was no mention of tips until the very end of the trip and, even then, it was only a suggestion, not a demand. We decided among ourselves what we should give to Ajay, as his tip wasn't mentioned at all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the itinerary carefully and make sure you bring everything you need to protect yourself against the cold (especially in the evening) and the dust! You don't have to be super fit to do the trek itself, but it is worth doing some interval training before you go. Don't expect luxury accommodation: it's a bonus if you get an ensuite toilet - sometimes you just have to 'go with it'!

Suggestions

For most people, this is a once in a lifetime trip. Just do it!

Hicham Messaoudi

Reviewed December 2018

EBS Nov 18- Disappointment

Overall the trip to Base Camp is a great trip however, Exodus spoiled the trip for me and my fellow travellers by a mercenary attitude to money. Demanding a tip of £50 per person all the all the way of the trip. The musty rooms smelled like old socks and it was so dirty that you didn’t want to touch anything. I also slept in a sleeping bag on top of the bed. Not really sure what to say about the TOILETS! they were revolting, if you ask someone to clean them, you will be ignored. There are many other examples of this during. In short, I will never travel with Exodus again.

Most Inspirational Moment

The musty rooms smelled like old socks and the toilets were revolting!

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Hicham and Chris (review below) for their feedback, but we would like to apologise that they felt undue pressure to tip staff during their trip. Tipping is very much a part of the culture in Nepal, especially on trekking trips. Whilst, therefore, tips are of course gratefully received by our tour leaders and local staff, tipping should always be completely discretionary, and no pressure should ever be placed on clients to tip. We have asked our local manager to ensure their leader, Ajay, receives additional English lessons to ensure he is using correct grammar, so that when he is discussing tips with clients, his queries are not conveyed as a demand; we trust this will prevent any misunderstanding going forward. Owing to their remote location, teahouses are basic, but all of the lodges used by Exodus are regularly visited and we always try to select the best available based on accommodation, hygiene and food standards. We are, however, sincerely sorry for the poor conditions which Hicham has reported experiencing during his trip. Jenny Cox – Product Manager.

Simon Owens

Reviewed December 2018

Awesome and Inspirational Trek!

Great credit to our Exodus leader Jaite (Ajay) and Kaji and Cami and the rest of his great team. Lead by example and really looked after the group in our quest to conquer reaching EBC. The trek from start to finish was an amazing adventure with like minded friends In our group that made the trek even more enjoyable amongst a beautiful landscape. But also at times not to be taken in small measures because it can be forgiving when unexpected on the terrain and challenge in front of you but amazing experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first sight of Everest from afar on the trek and then thinking “that’s where we are heading” mind blowing! Reaching EBC the physical attributes and reaching a new altitude for the first time. Into the thin air!

Thoughts on Group Leader

A leader with great attributes to making sure that the safety and welfare of the group were always at the forefront of his mind by the constant checking along the way on the trek. Always had time for the group and was very very funny and liked to sing his own little melody that we all adopted by the end of the trek! Jaite and his team were a pleasure to be with on the journey!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, prepare yourself well whatever time of the year you go! This trek is an amazing one to complete and tick off the list, but make sure that you have all the correct gear to cope with the cold mostly at nights and early morning starts. Lastly - “go for it”I would recommend this trek for all its iconic mantra and challenge. “Superb”

Frances Leff

Reviewed December 2018

Fantastic, once in a lifetime!

Hard, but a wonderful experience. We became a great team – the group and our guides. The key to making it to Base Camp!

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to Base Camp. One of our guides Kaji had summited Everest 8 times, it was amazing having him with us. It was fantastic being able to ask him so many questions. An inspirational man. Coffee/lunch in Namche Bazaar was a lovely treat on the way down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb, we all had total trust in him. He looked after us incredibly well. He made us into a great team. Nothing was too much trouble. He also had a great sense of humour and was a lovely man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's very, very cold at night in late November/early December. Don't expect luxury - you are in a remote location!

Suggestions

Go!! It's an incredible experience.

Chris Powell

Reviewed November 2018

Mercenary Approach to Money, Shameful!

Overall the trip to Base Camp is a great trip and well arranged. I’ve done it three times now with different operators. Overall however, Exodus spoiled the trip for me and my fellow travellers by a mercenary attitude to money. Demanding (not suggesting or recommending) a tip of £50 per person for example. Insisting it be paid immediately when two members of the trip decided to leave early (ironically in part due to the mercenary attitude towards money, what an irony!). There are many other examples of this during the trip. In short, I will never travel with Exodus again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to Everest Base Camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

His organisational skills, helpful explanations of Mountains and wildlife were excellent. However he let himself and the group down with his attitude to money. Very disappointing. We are people trying to enjoy a holiday, not commodities to be exploited and milked for money.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Everest Base Camp is a wonderful trek. It is inspirational and borderline life-changing. However when choosing a tour operator try to choose one that has the interests and the enjoyment of the traveller at the forefront of the agenda. I'd suggest that Exodus do not share these values.

Suggestions

I would love to think that Exodus take the comments that I have made on my survey form and here seriously, and do not bury them. I hope moreover that they learn from them and use them to improve the customer experience for future travellers.

Stuart Elks

Reviewed November 2018

Stuart Elks - Wells Cathedral School

Our trip to Nepal was wonderful. We were hosted incredibly well by Pasang and his team right from the airport where we were met and transported to the Royal Singi Hotel.
All movements, interactions and correspondence throughout the trip were excellent!

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the local Nepalese people who live in the Himalaya and exist in such hardships.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pasang was outstanding! He was incredibly perceptive, understanding, communicative and showed true leadership by keeping all of us from any of the problems that he encountered along the way. I would definitely recommend him to others. He is a true professional and a brilliant ambassador.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To bring vitamins and dry fruit bars as the food available in the foot hills is incredibly carbohydrate heavy. To bring sun cream, a light coloured, thin buff. To bring lip salve/sun block. To make sure that you have enough local currency to pay for things each night. The ATM's in Namche did not work.

Suggestions

I would definitely recommend EXODUS!

George Reynolds

Reviewed November 2018

Awesome trek to Everest Base Camp

Just back from our trek to Everest Base Camp. Absolutely awesome trek with a terrific group of people you couldn’t ask for better. Our guide leader Ngima deserves praise for his great organising and leadership throughout the trek supported by his two other guides Sagar and Lal who kept us safe and together.
Thank you Exodus for making a virtual dream a reality for me. It wasn’t an easy trek but to reach my final goal was absolutely out of this world. I’ll certainly be using you again for future adventure treks. Keep up the good work.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching our goal - Everest Base Camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was outstanding - helpful and kept us informed of all developments. Top class guide leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Seriously take a look at your health. Any small ailments will be compounded during trek. Good knees are a must as I knew all to quickly. I found it ok ascending to EBC but descending was a problem for me. The path to EBC is awful in the lower reaches.

Suggestions

Must have strong willpower to get out of bed each morning in a Baltic dormitory.

Steph Grundy

Reviewed November 2018

Best honeymoon we could have wished for

Where to begin…. we enjoyed every second from start to finish- the people, the scenery, the trekking, the guides (even the extra accidental flight to lukla where we had to return halfway due to bad weather) We booked this as our honeymoon so it was a special trip but made even more special by our amazing team of guides- exodus is lucky to have such inspirational and genuine people working for them, and by the great bunch of people that we trekked with, we had so much fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching base camp and summiting Kala Patthar and watching everyone else on the trek do it too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Professional, fun, genuine, hardworking, inspirational and full of energy and enthusiasm. We would love to trek again with Ngima and the both assistant guides Sagar and Lal they were all outstanding. We left Nepal as friends.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare yourselves with long walks before going, ensure you are a good level of fitness. Take lots of cold & flu medicine, paracetmol and a good buff / scarf Go with an open mind and you’ll enjoy every minute, even the freezing cold temperatures at night!

Suggestions

We think the trek could be improved and more enjoyable if everybody is of a good / similar level of fitness. We are planning a harder trek next time but would be wary of going in a large group that may have people of a lesser fitness as it impacts the time spent trekking to places etc. I understand the difficulties of this suggestion.

Peter Watkins

Reviewed November 2018

Everest base camp

Very good trek overall. Well organised and run by the guides. Some personal disappointment that I didn’t make the base camp itself, but scenery was fantastic. Route was very much more crowded than I had expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being surrounded by 8000 m high mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! He managed an awkward group with limited resources and many disruptions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is very crowded in this area. Tea houses are generally not of the best quality, food can be poor. I found that lack of sleep was a problem (snoring roommate) but could be resolved in some tea houses by hiring an extra room for only 500 rupees, £3.50. This information is not generally to hand.

Sally Difazio

Reviewed November 2018